Lalbagh Botanical Garden

Dubare Elephant Camp, tucked along the lush forested banks of the holy Cauvery (Kaveri) River in the Dubare Reserve Forest of Coorg (Kodagu), Karnataka, is one of South India's most celebrated elephant conservation, rehabilitation, and eco tourism sanctuaries.

Managed jointly by Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR) and the Karnataka Forest Department, this riverfront camp has evolved from a historic logging and Dasara training depot into a world class educational sanctuary dedicated to the well being of gentle Asian elephants.

It's the home of hands on morning elephant bathing sessions where travelers scrub gentle tuskers in the clear river shallows, interactive feeding of nutritious ragi and jaggery balls, traditional round coracle boat rides across the Cauvery, thrilling seasonal river rafting, and guided nature walks through teak and bamboo groves.

It represents a rich ecological haven where wildlife preservation, traditional mahout wisdom, Western Ghats riverine biodiversity, and responsible family eco tourism unite under dense deciduous forest canopies.

Located 15 km southwest of Kushalnagar and 28 km east of Madikeri, it sits 95 km from Mysore and 230 km from Bengaluru, easily reached via the scenic Kushalnagar Siddapur forest road.

Royal Dasara Heritage & Modern Conservation

Historically, Dubare served as a premier training camp where royal elephants were groomed for the prestigious Mysore Dasara festival, learning the discipline required to carry the sacred 750 kilogram golden howdah through crowded palace avenues.

Following logging bans in commercial forestry, the camp shifted its focus toward humane rehabilitation, providing healthcare, nutritious diets, and a protected natural habitat for retired timber elephants, orphaned calves, and rescued animals.

Truth is, resident naturalists and indigenous mahouts from local Kuruba tribal communities share intimate knowledge with visitors regarding elephant social hierarchies, vocal communication, and herbal medicines.

Elephant Bathing & Feeding Interactions

Morning River Bathing (9:00 AM to 11:00 AM): The highlight of the Dubare experience. Visitors roll up their trousers, step into the knee deep waters of the Cauvery, and help mahouts scrub the elephants with natural coconut husks as the animals lie contentedly in the cool water.

Elephant Feeding (11:00 AM to 12:00 PM): After their bath, you can help prepare and hand feed giant dough balls made of wholesome cooked ragi (finger millet), sugarcane, jaggery, and raw bananas directly into their curling trunks.

River Rafting, Coracles & Jungle Wildlife

Coracle Rides & White Water Rafting: Glide across calm river eddies in traditional circular bamboo coracles. During monsoon and post monsoon months (July to November), the Cauvery swells to offer exciting white water rafting through Class I and II rapids over a 12 kilometer stretch.

Birdwatching & Nature Trails: The surrounding riverine jungle is home to Malabar pied hornbills, kingfishers, crested serpent eagles, spotted deer (chital), sambar, and wild Asiatic elephants wandering through the outer reserve forest.

Combine your morning at Dubare with afternoon excursions to Nisargadhama Forest Island (12 km), the Golden Temple at Bylakuppe (15 km), and coffee plantation walks around Madikeri for an unforgettable Coorg holiday.